Dashboard

Aircraft Groups

56th Fighter Group

Aircraft:

P-47

Group Emblem:

Wing:

65th Combat Bombardment Wing

Division:

2nd Bombardment Division

Airfield(s)

Squadrons:

61th Fighter Squadron62th Fighter Squadron63th Fighter Squadron

Tail Marking:

Details:

Equipped with P-39's and P-40's. Trained, participated in maneuvers, served as an air defense organization, and functioned as an operational training unit. Redesignated 56th Fighter Group in May 1942. Received P-47's in Jun and began training for combat. Moved to England, Dec 1942-Jan 1943. Assigned to Eighth AF. Continued training for several weeks.

Entered combat with a fighter sweep in the area of St Omer on 13 Apr 1943, and during the next two years destroyed more enemy aircraft in aerial combat than any other fighter group of Eighth AF.

Flew numerous missions over France, the Low Countries, and Germany to escort bombers that attacked industrial establishments, V-weapon sites, submarine pens, and other targets on the Continent. Also strafed and dive-bombed airfields, troops, and supply points; attacked the enemy communications; and flew counter-air patrols. Engaged in counter-air and interdictory missions during the invasion of Normandy in Jun 1944. Supported Allied forces for the breakthrough at St Lo in Jul. Participated in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945. Helped to defend the Remagen bridgehead against air attacks in Mar 1945.

Received a DUC for aggressiveness in seeking out and destroying enemy aircraft and for attacking enemy air bases, 20 Feb-9 Mar 1944. Received another DUC for strikes against antiaircraft positions while supporting the airborne attack on Holland in Sep 1944. Flew last combat mission on 21 Apr 1945. Returned to the US in Oct. Inactivated on 18 Oct 1945.

26418 (56th FG, 61st FS) crashlanded near Bassinheim airfield Jul 20, 1944. Pilot Francis Gabreski evaded capture for 5 days but was eventually taken POW. A plane with this serial number is displayed at Lackland AFB. Anyone know its real serial'

75276 converted Aug/Sep 1944 by 56th FG to 2 seater named *The Doublebolt*. Originally used as fast liaison transport, fitted with AN/APN-19 airborne radar Mar 1945 and used operationally (but unsuccessfully) on four missions during Apr 1945.